09/13/2009

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon criticises G8 climate efforts

Today in a world that you, me and our progeny continue to populate, 8 leading developed countries (G8) and 5 leading developing countries (G5) agreed that global temperatures should not rise more than 2 degrees Celsius above 1900 levels. The G8 agreed to themselves reduce emissions 80% by 2050 and tried to persuade the G5 developing countries to reduce their emissions by 50%. The leaders of the G5 agreed to the 2 degrees Celsius objective but did not agree to the 50% reduction in their emissions.

If the goal to contain the increase in global warming to 2 degrees Celsius is based mathematically (as one would imagine) by the G8 reducing emissions by 80% and the G5 reducing emissions by 50% how can this objective be obtained without a G5 commitment to reducing emissions by 50%?

Let's assume that somehow the agreement to reduce emissions 80% and 50% respectively between the G8 & G5 by 2050 will be met. This is an agreement between 13 (8+5) of the world's countries. What about the other 190 countries on Earth. They have no part or say in this? Can we reasonably assume that the landscape of developed, developing and other nations will remain static between now and 2050?

Nothing in the agreement states how the G8 and G5 will achieve their stated goal.

To me this agreement is smoke and mirrors. The leaders of both the G8 and G5 know that their constituents demand they do something to stop global warming and save the environment. These leaders also know their constituents demand they secure the upper hand in any negotiations with other countries. This agreement allows them to appear to be doing something to save the environment without giving in, losing, to the other countries. The net result will probably be token measures to stop global warming without much chance of achieving the goals we humans want.

I believe this agreement has no teeth. I believe that if you and me really want to stop global warming, save the environment, avoid global catastrophes like the current global recession, you and I need to: